Some Implications on Pandemic Green Place Planning and Management: Considering the Patients with Depression

Abstract

Background and objective: The importance of using green spaces to treat depression caused by reduced face-to-face contact owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has been emphasized. However, while studies have shown the importance of using green spaces during the pandemic, research is lacking on their use to treat and manage depression caused by the pandemic.Methods: This study included in-depth interviews with patients with depression and the general public regarding their use of green spaces during the pandemic, which were analyzed through text mining to suggest alternatives to address the increasing number of patients with depression during the pandemic.Results: The analysis revealed that the reasons for visiting green spaces during the pandemic were activity (exercise and socialization) and nature observation (experiencing ecological scenery); patients with depression were more interested in the activity component.Conclusion: This highlights the necessity of supplementing facilities for exercise and socialization near residential areas to treat depression. Planting of landscape crops to provide landscape resources for the general public is recommended, along with policies to prevent natural damage caused by the increased number of visitors to ecological areas.